CMT UNVEILS UPDATED UNSCRIPTED SLATE INCLUDING PREMIERE DATES FOR “I LOVE KELLIE PICKLER” AND “DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS: MAKING THE TEAM,” A NEW SEASON OF “STEVE AUSTIN’S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE”

NASHVILLE – July 13, 2016 – CMT today unveiled its updated unscripted slate of original programming including premiere dates for new seasons of “I Love Kellie Pickler” and “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team” on August 25. In addition, the award-winning “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” has been picked up for a new season that will premiere later this year.

“CMT’s unscripted series mirror the optimism and passion of our fans,” said Jayson Dinsmore, Executive Vice President of Development. “Our shows are smart, spirited and play an important role in attracting new audiences.”

On the heels of a successful first season, CMT will premiere a new season of “I Love Kellie Pickler” on August 25 at 10 PM ET/PT. The docu-comedy follows the country music star and personality as she navigates her madcap relationships with friends, family and the unpredictability of couplehood alongside husband, Kyle Jacobs, her complete opposite. The 2015 series debut marked CMT’s highest rated premiere among W18-49 since 2008.

This season fans will be introduced to Kellie and Kyle’s family; follow the couple as they navigate some once-in-a lifetime situations including a must-see visit to Japan and go behind the scenes as they prepare for their appearance on “Celebrity Family Feud.” Kellie will also attempt various occupations including re-living her first job as a Sonic waitress, as well as becoming an Uber driver for charity…despite her lack of reputable driving skills and inability to follow directions. “I Love Kellie Pickler” is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions and 51 Minds Entertainment with executive producers Ryan Seacrest, Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, Christian Sarabia and Jennifer McGrogan. Jayson Dinsmore and Morgan Selzer executive produce for CMT.

After notching its highest rated season to date, CMT’s longest running original non-music series, “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making The Team,” returns for its eleventh season on August 25 at 9 PM ET/PT, immediately preceding “I Love Kellie Pickler.” The series will follow a new group of hopefuls who compete to fulfill their lifelong dream of landing a highly coveted spot on the elite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad. Melissa Rycroft returns to mentor the new recruits, while Kellie Pickler makes a surprise visit to Training Camp to learn some moves and share insight into how she handles being in the spotlight. Fellow Texan and Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves will also stop by to talk to the girls about staying true to themselves, and share her stand-out picks to make the team. This season features a professional Japanese cheerleader who will battle a language barrier, a single mother who wants to prove to her six year old daughter that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, as well as several “comeback” girls who finally make it into training camp after years of unsuccessful tryouts. Last season, the series averaged nearly 4 million weekly viewers. The program is produced by Triage Entertainment with executive producers Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick, Eugene Pack, Peter Zasuly, Charlotte Jones Anderson and Kelli McGonagill Finglass. Jayson Dinsmore and Matt Trierweiler executive produce for CMT.

The DGA award-winning “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge,” the most physically demanding competition series on TV, has been picked up for a new season to premiere later this year. The series, which last season attracted more than 4 million weekly viewers, features world-renowned athletic contenders including Spartan, CrossFit, power lifters, professional athletes, MMA fighters and everyday heroes who face off in a series of intense challenges with only one advancing to the grueling skullbuster challenge personally designed by Steve Austin. The series is produced by 51 Minds Entertainment with executive producers Christian Sarabia, Steve Austin, Vincent Cariati and co-executive producer Steve Kaufman. Julia Silverton and Jayson Dinsmore executive produce for CMT.

CMT’s unscripted series join a diverse line-up of scripted programs (“Still The King,” and the forthcoming premieres of “Nashville,” and Million Dollar Quartet”), original documentaries (including the forthcoming premiere of “The Bandit”) and music events (including “CMT Music Awards,” “CMT Artists of the Year,” and the forthcoming “CMT Concert of the Summer).